Prevalence of diarrhoea and risk factors among children under five years old in Mbour, Senegal: a cross-sectional study
Background: Diarrhoeal diseases remain an important cause of mortality and morbidity among children, particularly in
low- and middle-income countries. In Senegal, diarrhoea is responsible for 15% of all deaths in children under the age
of five and is the third leading cause of childhood deaths. For targeted planning and implementation of prevention
strategies, a context-specific understanding of the determinants of diarrhoeal diseases is needed. The aim of this study
was to identify risk factors of diarrhoeal diseases in children under the age of five in Mbour, Senegal.
Methods: Between February and March 2014, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in four zones of Mbour to
estimate the burden of diarrhoeal diseases (i.e. diarrhoea episodes in the 2 weeks preceding the survey) and associated
risk factors. The zones covered urban central, peri-central, north peripheral and south peripheral areas. Overall, 596
households were surveyed by a questionnaire, yielding information on sociodemographic, environmental and hygiene
behavioural factors. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors
associated with the occurrence of diarrhoea.
Results: The reported prevalence of diarrhoea among children under the age of five during the 2 weeks preceding the
survey was 26%. Without adjustment, the highest diarrhoea prevalence rates were observed in the peri-central (44.8%)
and urban central zones (36.3%). Multivariable regression revealed significant associations between diarrhoeal diseases
and unemployment of mothers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–2.23), use of open
bags for storing household waste (aOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.00–3.02), evacuation of household waste in public streets
(aOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.20–3.55), no treatment of stored drinking water (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.11–2.56) and use of shared
toilets (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.11–2.56).
Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of diarrhoea in children under the age of five in Mbour, with the highest
prevalence occurring in the central and peri-central areas. These findings underscore the need for public health
interventions to alleviate the burden of diarrhoea among vulnerable groups. Promotion of solid waste disposal and
reduction of wastewater exposure should be implemented without delay.
Auteur(s) : Sokhna Thiam, Aminata N. Diène, Samuel Fuhrimann, Mirko S. Winkler, Ibrahima Sy, Jacques A. Ndione, Christian Schindler, Penelope Vounatsou, Jürg Utz
Pages : 109-121
Année de publication : 2017
Revue : Infectious Diseases of Poverty
N° de volume : Jul 6; 6(1):109
Type : Article
Mise en ligne par : NIANG Aminata